Operational Security (OPSEC): A Refresher and a Reminder

Thursday, December 1, 2016 8:49

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Yes, we have written numerous articles on OPSEC, and yes, the basic concepts remain the same. As the threat changes, you have to change as well, however, and OPSEC measures are not carved in stone, so consider this article continuing education.

When times become desperate, people become desperate and then they remember. On a normal day, you may mention your Preps to someone, to a friend, to the owner of a gun shop, or to the clerk at the big box store as you wheel out 50-pound bags of rice and beans to the truck. They nod and smile, and then wish you luck and they then go about their business. They don’t care, don’t care at the time that is, but when the time comes to care they will remember, that’s how the human mind works sometimes.

When they become desperate, they begin to remember. They remember you and your truck, your food, your firearms, and your Preps, in general, become their focus and they wonder if.

Social Media

For the sake of security you have to assume that anytime you talk on the phone, or text, send an email, and anything you post online to include pictures and writings is there forever and there for anyone that wants to look for it. This is true regardless of your security settings on social media websites.

The websites own whatever you upload and if they own it, they will use, sell it, and/or archive it for governmental agencies that may have a reason to browse through your personal correspondence at some point. National security after all trumps your security preferences.

Posting pictures of your children, your home, your firearms, your food supplies or posting of anything personal online should be avoided. Showing the whole world your modified bug-out-vehicle with a gun rack in the back window does nothing to enhance your preparations, does not bring you money or supplies, and it can only harm you, so why do people still do it, why do they need validation or “likes” from strangers and so-called friends.

Once the SHTF many people will have problems and if you are prepared then guess what, you are the solution to their problem. A solution if they know where to go for their supplies, people with nothing to lose will do anything to gain what you have. It will be a blue light special, free firearms on aisle one and ammo too by the way.

Prepper Groups and OPSEC

This next comment may sound controversial to some people and it may fly in the face of what the Prepper movement is all about, but remember times have changed and you have to adapt to survive.

“The only people well suited to be in a Prepper group are orphans and those not married, have no children, friends or a community to call home”.

The husband or wife is a member of a Prepper group. Like any cohesive unit, teamwork is essential and everyone must have the same goals in mind and know how to achieve those goals through said teamwork.

Prepper groups function well when there is not a crisis to deal with, and unless you have been through a SHTF situation with your group, then you have no idea what may happen and how others will react once disaster strikes. If any member of the group has a wife, or husband, children, aunts, uncles friends and other relatives their first priority during a crisis is likely not going to be the group’s priority, in other words, family comes first.

The problem is those left in the group will resent you for leaving to tend to your family. Secondly, they know where you live and the level of your preparedness. Not good if they decide they need more supplies and besides they are angry with you now, and you, of course, told them how well prepared you are.

The more people know about you, the more solutions they have during a crisis. We would recommend that you stay off social media unless you can show considerable restraint and not brag about this or that online. You need the Internet right now for research, to buy things, and to keep track of others in some cases, but do not allow or give a reason for others to keep track of you.